From the Research
Safety of Handheld Fetal Doppler Devices
The safety of handheld fetal Doppler devices for use at home is a topic of concern, with various studies providing insights into their potential effects on the fetus.
- The use of ultrasound imaging, including Doppler ultrasound, has been considered safe for medical purposes, with an excellent safety record over 50 years of use 1.
- However, it is essential to note that ultrasound energy delivered to the fetus cannot be regarded as completely innocuous, and effects on the body, such as mechanical vibrations, rise in temperature, and cavitation, have been reported in laboratory studies 1.
- Most public health experts, clinicians, and industry agree that exposure of the fetus to ultrasound for nonmedical purposes should be avoided, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) supports this position 1.
Precautions for Safe Use
To ensure safe use, certain precautions should be taken:
- Keeping the thermal index below 1 and using the lowest possible output for the shortest possible time compatible with obtaining diagnostic information are crucial 2.
- The principle of "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA) should be followed when exposing first-trimester fetuses to Doppler ultrasound 3, 4.
- While there are no strictly defined limits for the use of Doppler ultrasound in early pregnancy, carefulness and consideration of benefits against possible theoretical risks are necessary 4.
Potential Risks and Effects
Some studies have raised concerns about potential risks and effects:
- Exposure to high levels of Doppler ultrasound during early development may have long-term developmental implications, including increased apoptosis in animal models and effects persisting throughout life 3.
- The use of color and pulsed Doppler modes results in higher levels of transmitted and absorbed ultrasonic energy, raising questions about safety in early pregnancy 4.
- Current ultrasound technology has significantly higher output potential than older machines used in most clinical studies, and the safety profile for increasing use of Doppler and other advanced ultrasound techniques is unknown 5.